Alumni Memories: Eurovision 2004

Posted on: 25 April 2023 by Development and Alumni Relations Team in 2023

In another in our Eurovision memories, we spoke to Patrick Clancy from the University’s Development and Alumni team about his favourite Eurovision memory. It involves a previous win for the current holders of the Eurovision crown, Ukraine, on whose behalf Liverpool is hosting this year’s competition.

“Growing up in the 1980s it was hard not to be aware of the bands like Abba and Bucks Fizz who had massive chart success after winning Eurovision,” says Patrick.  “Even though my walls were covered in posters of bands like Sepultura and Metallica, I was always drawn in every year by Eurovision.”

In particular, he remembers what he describes as “the repeatedly fantastic performances of the Irish entries” who won five times in ten years, and who were famously parodied in the 1996 Father Ted episode ‘A Song for Europe.’ In the episode, Father Ted and Father Dougal are representing Ireland with their song ‘My Lovely Horse, which sadly achieves the now notorious honour of receiving ‘nul points.’ Ireland went on to win the competition for real that year, for the seventh time.

“My favourite Eurovision memory,” Patrick continues, “is the success in 2004 of ‘Wild Dances’ by the Ukrainian contestant Ruslana (pictured below), which for me is the perfect Eurovision song – pop sensibilities with a rock-style backing track, full of energy and very danceable with more than a nod to traditional music and melodies.”

It went on to spend 10 consecutive weeks at the top of the charts in Belgium and was the first winning entry since 1999 to be sung partly in a language other than English.  “The Ukrainian language version of the song is something else altogether!” Patrick laughs.

Ruslana marked the first of three wins in the competition for Ukraine, culminating in last year’s win in Turin by Kalush Orchestra with their song ‘Stefania’, and which has resulted in Liverpool now hosting the Eurovision Song Contest on their behalf.

Patrick says, “I’ve been lucky enough to get tickets for the final rehearsal, and I’m really looking forward to spending time in and around the Eurovision village and keeping an eye out for any past winners in the city – a selfie of my family with Ruslana or with any of the previous winners would be fantastic! After the rehearsal, I’ll be heading home with my family to watch the final together on TV at our annual Eurovision party, which is how I think it is best enjoyed!”